Assignments in Social Science Class X (Term II) 5.

CONSUMER RIGHTS
CONCEPT
When one pays money as the price of a commodity or services and uses it, he or she becomes a consumer. In this sense we all are consumers. Consumer buys goods and services because they have some utility and satisfy human wants directly. Markets do not work in a fair manner. Often, producers are a few and powerful whereas consumers purchase in small amounts and are scattered. Hence, there is a need for rules and regulations to ensure protection for consumers. Consumer movement is basically a social force which originated with the necessity of protecting and promoting the interest of consumers against unethical and unfair trade practices. Consumer movement can be more effective only with the consumers active involvement. It requires voluntary effort and struggle, involving the participation of one and all. UN guidelines are a tool for nations to adopt measures to protect consumers. In 1985 United Nations adopted some guidelines for consumer protection. Consumer Protection Act was introduced by the Indian Government in 1986. Popularly known as COPRA, it has led to the setting up of a separate department of consumer affairs in Central and State governments. The Consumer Protection Act 1986 ensures the following as rights which every consumer in India should possess : Right to choice Right to information Right to redressal Right to representation Right to safety Right to consumer education. ISI and Agmark logos represent quality standard for many products. However, for some products that affect the health and safety of consumers such as LPG cylinders, food colours and additivies, cement or packed drinking water, it is mandatory on the part of the producers to get certified by these organisations.

ASSIGNMENTS FOR SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

I. MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (1 mark)

1. The agencies which look into the complaints of the consumers are popularly called : (a) consumer courts (b) consumer commissions (c) consumer forums (d) consumers cells 2 An Act which ensures citizens of India to know about the functioning of the government departments : (a) Right to Seek Redressal Act (b) Right to Information Act (c) Right to Represent Act (d) Right to Protection Act 3. The organisation which helps guide the consumers on how to file cases in the consumer courts are popularly called : (a) consumer cells
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A. IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
(b) consumer associations (c) consumer forums (d) consumer societies 4. The organisation which lays down standards of products at the international level is called : (a) ISI (b) ISRO (c) ISO (d) WCF 5. Choose the factors which gave birth to the consumer movement in India : (i) Hoarding (iii) Food shortage (ii) Black marketing (iv) Adulteration of food (a) (i) only (b) (i) (ii) (iii) only (c) (ii) (iii) only (d) all the above 6. The process in which the quality of a food substance is lowered through the addition of another substance is called

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(a) Mixing two substances (b) Adulteration (c) Sub-standard quality (d) All the above The Act which was enacted to protect the consumers is called (a) Consumer redressal Act (b) Right to information Act (c) Consumer protection Act (d) Right to represent Act Name the court to which a consumer can approach, having a claim of Rs. 40 lakhs (a) National consumer court (b) State consumer court (c) District consumer court (d) None of the above Factors which cause the exploitation of the consumer : (a) Limited and wrong information (b) Illiteracy and ignorance of the consumer (c) Few sellers and limited competition (d) All the above When was ISO certification established? (a) 1952 (b) 1947 (c) 1965 (d) 1982 Name the right under which a consumer can claim compensation for the damage caused by any product. (a) Right to safety (b) Right to seek redressal (c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of the above Which logo or mark you will have to look for on a biscuit packet? (a) Agmark (b) ISI mark (c) Hallmark (d) ISO mark Which certification is maintained for standardisation of jewellery? (a) ISI (b) Agmark (c) Hallmark (d) None of the above Name the Act under which consumer courts have been established : (a) National Consumer Commission Act (b) State Consumer Commission (c) Consumer Protection Act (d) None of the above To protect themselves what do consumers need? (a) Consumer forums (b) Consumer protection councils

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(c) Consumer movement (d) Consumer awareness Which mark should you look for while buying honey? (a) ISI (b) ISO (c) Agmark (d) ISO A logoISI, Agmark or Hallmarkon a product certifies its : (a) quality standards (b) ingredients of the product (c) expiry date of the product (d) none of the above National Consumers Day falls on : (a) 31 March (b) 23 August (c) 24 December (d) 25 January Consumers International was established by (a) UNESCO (b) UN (c) UNICEF (d) World Bank Consumer Protection Act (COPRA) was enacted by Indian Government in (a) 1986 (b) 1983 (c) 1988 (d) 1985 MRP on a product represents : (a) minimum retail price (b) maximum retail price (c) micro retail price (d) none of the above Right to Information (RTI) Act was enacted by the Government of India in : (a) October 2005 (b) December 2005 (c) January 2006 (d) None of the above District level consumer court can settle the claims upto : (a) Rs 20 lakh (b) Rs 1 crore (c) Rs 50 lakh (d) Rs 80 lakh Consumer Protection Act, 1986 covers the whole of India except (a) the state of Jammu and Kashmir (b) Andaman and Nicobar Islands (c) Lakshadweep (d) none of the above Marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life and property are covered under : (a) rights to be protected (b) rights to be assured (c) rights to seek redressal (d) rights to be informed As per Consumer Protection Act, 1986, unfair trade practices do not involve which of the following?

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B. QUESTIONS FROM CBSE EXAMINATION PAPERS

1. The consumer movement in India has led to the formation of various organisations which [2011 (T-2)] are locally known as : (a) Consumer Protection Council (b) The Consumer International (c) The Consumer Protection Act (COPRA) (d) The World Trade Organization 2. Which one of the following is not true regarding the Right to Safety ? [2011 (T-2)] (a) Right to be protected against unsafe appliances. (b) Right to protected against unsafe working conditions. (c) Right to seek information about functioning of government departments. (d) Right to be protected against services which are hazardous to life. 3. Who amongst the following is protected through rules and regulations in the market [2011 (T-2)] place ? (a) The shopkeepers (b) The manufactures (c) The consumers (d) The suppliers 4. On which of the following date does we celebrate the National Consumers Day? (a) (b) (c) (d)

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8. Which right of the consumers is violated if the consumers are not allowed to get their claims settled against the manufactures in case they [2011 (T-2)] are cheated or exploited ? (a) Right to seek redressal (b) Right to choose (c) Right to be heard (d) Right to equality 9. When was the Right to Information Act passed ? [2011 (T-2)] (a) In January 2002 (b) In March 2004 (c) In October 2005 (d) In July 2007 10. Which of the following laws was enacted by the Government of India in the year 2005 ?
[2011 (T-2)]

[2011 (T-2)]

(a) 24 October (b) 14 October (c) 24 December (d) 14 December 5. Which one of the following quality certification is obtained by food processing [2011 (T-2)] companies ? (a) Agmark (b) ISI (c) ISO (d) Hallmark 6. In October 2005, the Government of India [2011 (T-2)] enacted a law known as :
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(a) The Rights to Information Act (b) The Consumer Protection Act (c) The Right to Education Act (d) The Right to Property Act 11. Which one of the following is the agency that develops standards for goods and services in India ? [2011 (T-2)] (a) COPRA (b) National consumer court (c) Consumer protection councils (d) Bureau of Indian Standards 12. Which one of the following is not a function of

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Right to Choose Act Right to Information Act Women Reservation Act Anti-corruption Act

(a) false or misleading representations (b) bargain price (c) non-compliance of product safety standard (d) offering discounts or rebates 27. Who can seek information under the RTI Act, 2005? (a) A group of persons (b) An individual citizen (c) A registered company (d) An association / society 28. If information is not provided or denied, what you can do under RTI Act? (a) cannot do anything (b) fight with PIO (Public Information Officers)

(c) appeal to appellate authority (d) request again 29. Which of the following is covered under public services? (a) Postal services (b) Mobile repair services (c) Washing machine after-sale services (d) None of the above 30. Which of the following does not come under local taxes in MRP of a product? (a) Central sales tax (b) Luxury tax (c) State sales tax (d) VAT (value added tax)

7. Effect of Chinese toys on Indian toy makers [2011 (T-2)] is: (a) no effect (b) making profits (c) suffering losses (d) None of these

consumer protection councils ? [2011 (T-2)] (a) They guide consumers how to file cases (b) On many occasions they represent individual consumers in the consumers court (c) They create awareness among the people (d) They help the consumer financially 13. At the global level, this has become the foundation for consumer movement :
[2011 (T-2)]

II. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Exploitation of consumers happens in various ways. Explain how. 2. How government protects the interests of consumers? 3. There may be rules and regulations but they are often not followed. Why? 4. What do you mean by Right to be informed? How does it protect consumers interests?

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(a) Consumer International (b) COPRA (c) Consumer Forums (d) None of the above 14. Which of the following is not a right of [2011 (T-2)] consumers? (a) Right to safety (b) Right to be Informed (c) Right to Choose (d) Right to Constitutional remedies

15. Suppose you want to buy toothpaste and the shop owner says that he/she can sell the toothpaste only if you buy a toothbrush, which of your right is being violated by the [2011 (T-2)] shopkeeper ? (a) Right to Safety (b) Right to be Informed (c) Right to Choose (d) Right to Represent 16. A chemist sold you a medicine of expiry date under which consumer right you can approach the consumer court ? [2011 (T-2)] (a) Right of Safety (b) Right to Seek Redressal (c) Right to Education (d) Right to Equality 17. India celebrates 24th December as :[2010 (T-2)] (a) National Consumers Day (b) National Producers Day (c) National Tourism Day (d) National Grievance Day

(3 marks)

A. IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

1. Explain any three ways by which people may be exploited in the market. [2010 (T-2)] 2. What are the institutions set up under COPRA for the redressal of grievances ? Explain. [2010 (T-2)]] 3. How is a consumer benefited by the right to be informed? [2010 (T-2)] 4. Briefly explain the three tier quasi judicial machinery set up under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986. [2010 (T-2)] 5. Highlight any three problems which a consumer may face in the process of redressal? [2010 (T-2)] 6. Explain how the Right to Information has empowered the consumer of goods and services.
[2010 (T-2)]

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B. QUESTIONS FROM CBSE EXAMINATION PAPERS

8. Explain any three factors that led to the growth of consumer movements in India? Give any three factors. [2010 (T-2)] 9. How the globalisation and greater competition amongst the producers have been of advantage to the consumers ? Explain any three points in this regard. [2010 (T-2)] 10. Explain with examples how the opening up of foreign trade results in connecting the markets of different countries. [2010 (T-2)] 11. Highlight any three duties of the consumers.
[2010 (T-2)]

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5. What is the difference between consumer protection council and consumer court? 6. How are the logos ISI, Agmark or Hallmark helpful to consumers? Explain. 7. What is the rationale behind the enactment of Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (COPRA)? 8. Explain how Right to seek redressal helps consumers to protect them against unfair trade practices and exploitation.

12. Explain consumers right to seek redressal.

[2010 (T-2)]

7. Describe any three features of consumer forum?

[2010 (T-2)]

13. What is the Right to Information Act, 2005 ? How does it help the consumers? [2010 (T-2)] 14. What legal measures have been taken by the
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government to empower the consumers in India?

[2010 (T-2)]

15. Why are rules and regulations required for the protection of consumers interest in the market place? Explain any two reasons. [2010 (T-2)] 16. Describe any three measures taken by the government to control the price rise.[2010 (T-2)] 17. How do duplicate articles and adulteration cause heavy loss to the consumers? Give two example.
[2010 (T-2)]

III. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

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18. Explain the consumers Right to Choose with suitable example. [2010 (T-2)]

19. What is the rationale behind the enactment of Consumer Protection Act 1986 ? [2010 (T-2)] 20. What are consumer forums ? What is their importance ? [2010 (T-2)] 21. Describe the three-tire quasi-judicial set-up [2010 (T-2)] redressal of consumer disputes. 22. Explain consumers right to be informed with example. [2010 (T-2)] 23. Explain any three startegies adopted by the government to protect the interest of the consumers. [2010 (T-2)]

(4 marks)

A. IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
1. Explain the duties of consumers while purchasing the goods. 2. What are the various factors causing exploitation of consumers in market? 3. Explain various rights of the consumers. 4. Critically examine right of the consumers with

example. 5. Explain the technical measures taken by the government for consumer protection. 6. Write a short note on food safety. 7. How is the consumer redressal process becoming cumbersome? Give four reasons.

ASSIGNMENTS FOR FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

I. PROJECT

1. Establish a consumer club in your school. Organise consumer related activities like monitoring bookshops, canteen and other vendor activities. Topic covered : Consumer awareness Objective : To make the students understand their rights as consumer. Skills developed : Better understanding of concepts like consumer awareness, protection of consumer's interests against exploitation, commercial aspects of sale and purchase of goods etc. Method : Consumer club should comprise 4 members. First member would be Head of consumer club whose responsibility would be overall supervisions of canteen, bookshop and vendors in school premises. Rest three members would be for canteen, bookshop and vendor activities inside school premises.

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Responsibility of the member who is supervising canteen, would be to ensure proper quality and fair price of edible items. The rate list should be displayed inside canteen. Member who is supervising bookshop, should check the rates charged for various stationery items and their quality. Member who is supervising various vendor activities inside school premises should check rate list and quality of items and whether vendor is giving various discounts or concession on certain items as offered by the manufacturer or not. All three members would give their report to Head of club on daily basis and if any irregularity is observed, it would be sorted out with proper coordination with school management and concerned person. Additional Work : Collect facts in your locality, how consumers having no realisation of their consumer rights got cheated by bad business practitioners. In other words, how retailers, wholesalers, service providers indulge in cheating.

II. PUZZLES
From top to bottom (A) A major step taken by Indian government in 1986 for protection of consumers. (5 steps). (B) Quality certification for jewellery (8 steps). (C) An Act which concerns information on functioning of all Government Departments (3 steps). (D) Printed price on a product (3 steps). (E) International Organisation for standardisation certificate (3 steps). (F) Head office of ISO (5 steps). From Left To Right (1) An Indian organisation to specify standards of various products (3 steps). (2) In order to earn profit, businesspersons create artificial scarcity by hoarding and selling the goods at higher price (8 steps). (3) A logo implemented under Agriculture Produce Act, 1937 (5 steps). (4) World Health Organisation (3 steps). (5) Public Distribution System (3 steps).

III. ACTIVITY

Conduct a survey in your locality by supplying following questionnaire to check consumer awareness. For each question, tick one. Always Sometimes Never A B C 1. While purchasing a product, do you ask for bill, irrespective of extra money paying as tax? 2. Do you prefer to pay through credit card? 3. Do you insist the executive to swipe the card in your presence and ask for receipt? 4. Are you brand-conscious? 5. Do you look for certification marks like ISI, Hallmark or Agmark, on product? 6. Do you confirm the weight of grossery items in your presence? 7. Do you bargain with the shopkeeper on MRP of the product? 8. Do you see the information regarding ingrediants of the product before purchase? 9. Do you compare the price of product with other brands offering same quality? 10. Do you respond for price discount or offers made by the shopkeeper? 11. Do you see expiry date and manufacturing date on a product? 12. On a petrol pump, do you check the quality and quantity of fuel through various tests? 13. Do you ask for terms of warranty for its validity on a product? 14. Do you insist on home delivery of the products without confirming weights in your presence? 15. Do you insist on online shopping through various websites on computer? 6

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Check List (i) You are extremely aware as a consumer if your answers for all questions is A except Q.14, 15. (ii) If all your answers are C except Q.14, 15, your awareness as consumer is very poor.

(iii) If answer for Q.14, 15 is C you are extremely aware as a consumer. (iv) If answer for Q.14, 15 is A you are not aware as consumer.

IV. WRITING A SLOGAN

Write a suitable slogan for the picture given below.

V. SEMINAR
Topic : Consumer Movement in India. Guidelines : A seminar should be organised in the school which should include following points. Why was the need for consumer movement felt? Consumer dissatisfaction Unethical and unfair trade practices Consumer groups in consumer movement Consumer Protection Act 1986. Three-tier judicial machinery.

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